Shared Nonvolatile Memory for Multi-Communication Electronic Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electronic devices with multiple communication schemes, such as WLAN and Bluetooth, require dedicated nonvolatile memory for each module, leading to increased cost and size, and suffer from prolonged startup times and reliability issues when one module lacks memory.
Innovation Solution
An electronic device with a main nonvolatile memory and connection means that allows information sharing between communication units, enabling the main control unit to store and retrieve data from one nonvolatile memory for both communication units, thus eliminating the need for memory in each unit and ensuring high reliability and faster startup times.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If dedicated nonvolatile memory is provided in each communication module, then reliability is improved, but device size and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the nonvolatile memory resources by providing a shared memory (either in the main control unit or externally) that stores communication parameters for multiple communication modules. This eliminates the need for separate nonvolatile memory in each module while maintaining data availability and reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The shared nonvolatile memory serves multiple communication modules simultaneously, making it a universal resource. The memory stores parameters for different communication schemes (e.g., WLAN, Bluetooth) and can be accessed by any module that needs them, reducing overall device size while maintaining functionality.
2Reliability
If dedicated nonvolatile memory is provided in each communication module, then communication parameters are reliably stored, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines memory resources across multiple communication modules by implementing a shared nonvolatile memory in the main control unit or as an external component. This reduces the total number of memory components needed, lowering manufacturing costs while maintaining reliable parameter storage through centralized management.
3Volume of moving object
If memory is provided only in one communication module, then device size is reduced, but startup time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by pre-storing communication parameters in the shared nonvolatile memory during system initialization or previous operations. When a communication module needs to start, the parameters are already available in the shared memory, eliminating the need to read from remote modules and reducing startup time.
4Volume of moving object
If memory is provided only in one communication module, then device size is reduced, but system reliability is degraded
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism where the main control unit acts as a mediator between communication modules and the shared nonvolatile memory. The main control unit manages parameter storage and retrieval, ensuring that even if one module lacks local memory, all modules can reliably access their parameters through the centralized memory managed by the main control unit.
Data Source
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Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3
AI summary
In an electronic device (100) with a communication function, first information (D1) for operating first communication control means (12) and second information (D2) for operating second communication control means (22) are stored in a first nonvolatile memory (13), and a main control unit (30) acquires the second information (D2) from the first nonvolatile memory (13) via the first communication control means (12) and stores the second information (D2) in a main nonvolatile memory (40), and reads the second information (D2) from the main nonvolatile memory (40) and transmits the second information (D2) to a second communication unit (20) when the main control unit (30) performs control of the second communication unit (20).